Have you tried cutting back on sugar? I don't think facials do much good. Not an expert of course, but I did have acne for almost 20 years (only "cured" by Accutane). Acne needs to have a daily, gentle, regimen, and dermatologists are best for doing blackhead extractions, etc.

Hormones like androgens and insulin stimulate sebum production. Hormones go nuts in adolescence, but cutting back on sugar is one way to reduce the impact of them.

this is a question for the dermatologist.

Tea tree oil soap works wonders for me and my DH - we both were on Accutane in our 20s. This is what we use:

http://www.vitacost.com/tea-tree-therapy-vegetable-base-soap-with-tea-tree-oil-3-5-oz-1

I order 10 - 12 boxes at a time -- Whole Foods sometimes has it, but they charge $4 or so a bar.

Has she had a hormone panel done? She could have PCOS--bcp and spironalactione can eliminate the acne in that case. Would have hormones checked before doing Accutane.

Anonymous wrote:Black African soap is great for the tiny bumps type acne. I use it for my arms and back. Also coconut oil of all things helps with that.
For then OP whose kid clearly has a more severe case, I would call around spas for that sir of thing. I like blue herons facials (in silver Spring on colesville, above the trader joes). But some derms may tell you to stay away from the the facials to not aggravate the skin more.

Bumps on your arms aren't acne, they're keratosis pilaris.

Anonymous wrote:Black African soap is great for the tiny bumps type acne. I use it for my arms and back. Also coconut oil of all things helps with that.
For then OP whose kid clearly has a more severe case, I would call around spas for that sir of thing. I like blue herons facials (in silver Spring on colesville, above the trader joes). But some derms may tell you to stay away from the the facials to not aggravate the skin more.

I would definitely not do facials on severe acne. If it's severe, cystic acne - the only thing that worked permanently for our kids was Accutane. Topical treatments do nothing, unless it's a very mild case of oily skin/pimples.

Black African soap is great for the tiny bumps type acne. I use it for my arms and back. Also coconut oil of all things helps with that.
For then OP whose kid clearly has a more severe case, I would call around spas for that sir of thing. I like blue herons facials (in silver Spring on colesville, above the trader joes). But some derms may tell you to stay away from the the facials to not aggravate the skin more.

Find a dermo that does "medical facials".

Check out Renee Rouleau. She also has a blog and you can read her posts about teen acne. Her products are the only thing that worked for us. Good luck.

Anonymous wrote:Any recommendations of good facial shops for a teen girl with severe acne? We were on antibiotics for a couple of years that worked great until the doctor took her off due to side effects. So, we are trying other routes. Thanks.

The doctor couldn't recommend something else?

NP here. My teen has tiny bumps all over her forehead. They're not red, but they're very obvious in certain light. She has very sensitive skin, so I am afraid to have her try anything harsh.
What are these?
Would a facial help with this?

I've heard good things about black soap.

Anonymous wrote:Sulfur mask by Peter Thomas Roth, made a huge difference for me.

Which one? Amazon has several. Thank you (for 17 year old DS with chin acne)

Sulfur mask by Peter Thomas Roth, made a huge difference for me.

Any recommendations of good facial shops for a teen girl with severe acne? We were on antibiotics for a couple of years that worked great until the doctor took her off due to side effects. So, we are trying other routes. Thanks.